Topic of the Week - Nest boxes

[DobieClose]

In the process of rebuilding my coop that's in my garage. I have 7 chickens that are 15 weeks old. 1 cockeral and 6 Pullets. They free range all day.
How many nesting boxes do you recommend and when should I open them up?
These girls are all Of decent size. A Barred Rock, a couple of Brhmas, a Buff Orpington, a Black Austrolorp and a Delaware.

 

[aart]

In the process of rebuilding my coop that's in my garage. I have 7 chickens that are 15 weeks old. 1 cockeral and 6 Pullets. They free range all day.
How many nesting boxes do you recommend and when should I open them up?
These girls are all Of decent size. A Barred Rock, a couple of Brhmas, a Buff Orpington, a Black Austrolorp and a Delaware.

3 nests, open now(so you can make sure they won't sleep in them before the eggs come).

 

[DobieClose]

3 nests, open now(so you can make sure they won't sleep in them before the eggs come).

We have an enclosed kitty litter box in there now but none go in it. Maybe it's too small. We'll have the new coop and boxes up this week.

 

[JohnTheChickenMan]

If your nest boxes are up to high and/or your pen is crowded the hens may try to roost in the boxes (and therefore shit overnight) keep nest low and don't overcrowd. If u still find a hen shitting on the eggs, figure out the culprit and cull her.

 

[DobieClose]

If your nest boxes are up to high and/or your pen is crowded the hens may try to roost in the boxes (and therefore shit overnight) keep nest low and don't overcrowd. If u still find a hen shitting on the eggs, figure out the culprit and cull her.

Thanks. I'm glad I found this thread before I started the upgrade

 

[aart]

We have an enclosed kitty litter box in there now but none go in it. Maybe it's too small. We'll have the new coop and boxes up this week.

Post a pic and dimensions, no reason for them to go int it if they are not laying.

 

[Ozarkoak]

The other day i found 30 or so eggs under a pallet that we stack our firewood on. Looks like about 3 hens sneaking in. It was an amazing hoard. I didnt notice until I saw a single egg poking out because all the room was gone. Goofy birds.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Someone gave me the metal type nesting boxes but my hens have not started laying yet. Do some of you put curtains up? Does anyone have a picture of this. Is it to make it more private so the chickens lay better? This is all new to me.

Gals seem to like it. Dont have a comparison tho! Kinda wish i didnt do the curtains because i think they would still use the nesting boxes and any barrier from seeing them doesnt help. Never had an issue with them laying elsewhere tho. It does get Very hot in one of the boxes. Looking back i would have considered our nestbox placement.

 

[MaryJanet]

Gals seem to like it. Dont have a comparison tho! Kinda wish i didnt do the curtains because i think they would still use the nesting boxes and any barrier from seeing them doesnt help. Never had an issue with them laying elsewhere tho. It does get Very hot in one of the boxes. Looking back i would have considered our nestbox placement.

If I'd put in regular nest boxes, I'd put curtains in for sure! Great for the hens who like to hide while laying and so cute.

The nests I provide for four hens are scattered around the run. I think it helps prevent arguments.

One is an old, deep laundry basket laying on its side. A popular choice.

Another is a half wine barrel. Used for laying only once or twice in a year. I used to cover it but decided not to bother.

The third is the nest box of the little coop in the background. Also a popular choice, especially for broodies.

 

[Lspears218]

View attachment 2987147
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Nest boxes, those carefully designed coop essentials where we're all hoping our laying ladies would deposit the rent. (Note: hoping) This week I would like to hear you all's thoughts on all things "nest boxes"... Specifically:

- What do you use for nest boxes?
- What bedding materials do you use in your nest boxes?
- Maintaining your nest boxes. (Cleaning, pest control, etc)
- Managing broody hen(s) in the nest box.
- How do you make your nest boxes attractive for the hens? (I.e. encourage them to use the boxes, instead of dropping their eggs all over the yard)
- How do you discourage your hens from sleeping in the nest boxes?

Anything you'd like to add?

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Pic by @zazouse​

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https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

First time chicken flock family here. Our flock is 20 weeks today (3 sapphire gem hens, 1 Easter egger roo, 2 silkies male and female). Our sapphire gems started laying in the last 10 days and are laying an egg every day now. We built our coop at home (we wrote a post on that) and did most of our research on this website. Thanks to this site we have all of our hens laying in our nesting boxes. We were concerned that they may just lay eggs in the yard somewhere to never be found, but to our surprise they naturally went into the nesting boxes on their own without any issue from day 1. We use their normal bedding and throw some long grass in also just for a little cushion. See our pics. We are very happy that they just naturally went into their nesting boxes on their own.